Dineo Seshee Bopape (South Africa) is the recipient of the Future Generation Art Prize 2017, the fourth edition of the first ever global art prize for artists under 35, founded by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation. The winner was announced by the international jury at the award ceremony in the PinchukArtCentre, Kiev, Ukraine on March 16. Dineo Seshee Bopape received a total of 100,000 USD: 60,000 USD as a cash award, and 40,000 USD towards the production of a new work.

An additional 20,000 USD was allocated to fund artist-in-residency programmes for the SpecialPrize winner Phoebe Boswell (Kenya / United Kingdom).

Addressing the young artists Victor Pinchuk, founder of the Future Generation Art Prize said: “Contemporary art is the space of freedom. It lets you be free. It even forces you to open up. This is so important. People in many countries are afraid. Politicians use this. Nations speak the language of threats. Contemporary art is the antidote. I am really proud to be together with the 21 most energetic young artists here today and we can confirm that Ukraine is still a very modern country, a hub for contemporary art in the world. Together we create this energy of freedom here in Ukraine for the world.”

The shortlisted artists and winners will take part in the Future Generation Art Prize@Venice group exhibition organised by the PinchukArtCentre as a Collateral Event of the 2017 Venice Biennale. As the winner of the Future Generation Art Prize 2017, Dineo Seshee Bopape will present her solo show at the PinchukArtCentre in Kiev, in 2018.

Introducing Dineo Seshee Bopape, the winner of the Future Generation Art Prize 2017, the jury stated: “An earth sculpture made of rich black local soil acts as a platform for objects, organic forms and geological fragments that represent actions and symbols. The artist creates ceramic hand casts that express gestures of labor and of protest. Her arrangements of minerals, stones and gold leaf suggest forms of extraction. The work is a metaphor for the land and for landlessness; for wealth and poverty; for new life and mourning. Burnt herbs and crystals act as agents of healing for a young artist who lives and works in Post-Apartheid South Africa. In recognition of her formal innovation and political symbolism, we are delighted to award the 2017 Future Generation Art Prize to Dineo Seshee Bopape.”

Commenting on works by the Special Prize winner Phoebe Boswell the jury said: “In this exhibition we encounter a corridor of virtuoso life drawings, female figures, animated on an epic scale. These naked yet heroic protagonists have stories to tell and they are activated by our presence—we are also invited to contribute our own thoughts and statements. In recognition of the immersive and emotionally charged power of the installation titled Mutumia, a special prize is awarded to Phoebe Boswell.”

The exhibition of the 21 shortlisted artists for the fourth edition of the Future Generation Art Prize is on show at the PinchukArtCentre, Kiev, Ukraine until April 16. The Future Generation Art Prize 2017 exhibition is curated by Anna Smolak.

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